Our Aug. Trip to WDW

[ChuckC]

I will be leading my family to WDW on Aug. 17 for a week. We will be staying at the Villas of AKL (Jambo House, savannah view). The family consists of my wife and I (grandparents), my son and his girl friend, my daughter, and my other daughter (who lives in FL), her husband and our two grandsons (4 and 2).

I have planned our vacation rather thoroughly ("too thoroughly", my wife says). I have purchased the standard dining plan which I would usually not buy but with such a big group, I figured it would be the best way. (No arguments about paying) We have ADRs for Ohana (Dinner-Mon.), Coral Reef (Lunch-Tues.), Crystal Palace (Breakfast-Weds.), Les Chefs de France (Dinner-Weds.), Boma (Dinner-Thurs.), Teppan Edo (Dinner-Fri.), Raglan Road (Dinner-Sat.). All our dinners are early enough for the grandchildren so we can go back to the Lodge and give the kids (20 and 30 somethings) a chance to explore WDW on their own while my wife and I babysit. (Actually, my wife since babysitting is not my strong point). The only exception is Raglan Road where I made later reservations for the kids so they could go clubbing afterwards.

If I counted correctly, my wife and I have one TS left and I figure to use it at the Hollywood Brown Derby or Mama Melrose's (two of our favorites).

What I am thinking about is not using the DDP for one of our meals so we (the group) would have one TS to spare. I am thinking of paying for our meal at Crystal Palace since I think it is the least expensive.

How do these plans sound? Does anyone have any suggestions about places that I have overlooked? Both my wife and I have been to WDW many times but it will be the first time for my son and his friend and my CT daughter since the mid-1990s when they were much younger.

[Drince88]

Well, Brown Derby is two credits - so if you only have one each left, one of you will be able to use the plan, the other will have to pay out of pocket.

Unless the menu totally doesn't appeal to you, I'd probably use my 'leftover' credit at Saana (I think that's close) the new restaurant in AKLV.

Have you considered an additional character meal for the group? With a 4 year old and a 2 year old - they seem to be 'prime' character meal ages. BUT, I don't know how easy it will be to get into one at this point.

[ChuckC]

Well, Brown Derby is two credits - so if you only have one each left, one of you will be able to use the plan, the other will have to pay out of pocket.

Unless the menu totally doesn't appeal to you, I'd probably use my 'leftover' credit at Saana (I think that's close) the new restaurant in AKLV.

Have you considered an additional character meal for the group? With a 4 year old and a 2 year old - they seem to be 'prime' character meal ages. BUT, I don't know how easy it will be to get into one at this point.

Thanks for the info. Since when has the Brown Derby been two credits? I remember eating there last time (No DDP) and it wasn't that expensive.

I will explore the possibilities of an additional character meal. Like you say, it may be too late but c'est la vie.

[Drince88]

Brown Derby has been two credits from the start of the dining plan, as far as I can recall.

[ChuckC]

Brown Derby has been two credits from the start of the dining plan, as far as I can recall.

OK, I bow to your knowledge.

Thanks.

[Mrs. GusMan]

Definitely try and get a character meal for the boys. They will probably enjoy the close up encounter with the characters.

Chef Mickey is our favorite, but hard to get. You can try the online ADR system to see if Chef Mickey is available. (even if you get an odd time like we got 8:50pm its worth it.

Chip and Dale are at Garden Grill in EPCOT, which rotates as you eat, Playhouse Disney characters are at Hollywood and Vine at DHS for breakfast and lunch. We have never been to this one.

Donald Duck and friends are at Tusker house for breakfast at Animal Kingdom. Tusker house was wonderful as a counter service but we have not been there since it changed to a TS.

Cape Mae Cafe at the Beach Club has a wonderful breakfast which is a bit easier to get into. Goofy, Mickey Minne, Pluto and Donald usually are there dressed in beach garb and are just adorable. The food is great too! Cape Mae also has a great clam bake for dinner but no characters. We were able to get breakfast here on our last day in March just by calling the night before.

Have a wonderful trip! We arrive on the 8th and have to leave the 18th.
Please let us know what happens and what you are able to get. I'm curious!

Mrs. GusMan

[scoobydooby]

The only exception is Raglan Road where I made later reservations for the kids so they could go clubbing afterwards.

Do you realise that Pleasure Island is all closed down now?

As for the left over TS credit I would definately treat those little boys to a character meal. Chef Mickey's is excellent if you can get in. The breakfast at the Poly is also really good and while Play and Vine at Hollywood and Vine is not the best buffet it's good enough and the character interaction is specifically aimed at the pre-school group. I also think that Whispering Canyon is good fun for family groups and entertaining for the children. This is a nice resort to wander around too.

[dahunter1129]

Hollywood and Vine for breakfast is lots of fun, and the food is better at breakfast. Also pretty easy to get in last minute. We have never eaten at Brown Derby, because of the 2 credits thing...the kids menu just doesn't look like it is worth 2 credits. And tell your wife sheis LUCKY to have you making all the plans...it will be worth all the planning. Have a great trip!

[ChuckC]

Do you realise that Pleasure Island is all closed down now?

No, I didn't know that. My wife and I are a few (!!!) years away from our clubbing days. We were in PI a few trips ago (March, 2008?, it was raining) but we just sat and observed the people. Do you mean all the clubs are shut down? If so, what was the reason?

Thanks.

[ChuckC]

Hollywood and Vine for breakfast is lots of fun, and the food is better at breakfast. Also pretty easy to get in last minute. We have never eaten at Brown Derby, because of the 2 credits thing...the kids menu just doesn't look like it is worth 2 credits. And tell your wife sheis LUCKY to have you making all the plans...it will be worth all the planning. Have a great trip!

Thanks, for the info. We never ate at H&V so I will look into it. As for me making plans: I NEED to have an intinary whenever I travel. It has led to some hilarious moments that are now the subject of inside jokes within the family.

[scoobydooby]

No, I didn't know that. My wife and I are a few (!!!) years away from our clubbing days. We were in PI a few trips ago (March, 2008?, it was raining) but we just sat and observed the people. Do you mean all the clubs are shut down? If so, what was the reason?

Thanks.

Yes I mean all the clubs are shut down. They are redeveloping the area I think to shops and restaurants. There is a long thread about it started just before it all shut donw but I don't know how to link it to this post sorry. You should find it via the search engine.

[littlej]

Here's one of the threads with some good info. See if this works: http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/show...leasure+island

There's a link at the bottom to the discussion about it, although that thread hasn't been active in a while.

I'm sorry, ChuckC, but at least you heard it from us!

[Ragrobyn]

Chuck, I am going to be in the World the same time as you and could NOT get a table for 4 at Mama Melrose even after phoning for weeks...so start phoning man! Hopefully you will have better luck than I.

[scoobydooby]

ChuckC - maybe they could go and enjoy an evening on the Boardwalk? I have heard great things about jellyrolls but can't go myself because of the littlies in tow.